Ronan Keating to join The X Factor?

Ronan Keating is reportedly being lined up to appear as a judge on 'The X Factor' when it returns to screens later this year

Ronan Keating is being considered for a judging role on 'The X Factor'.

The 'Life is a Rollercoaster' singer and KMFAO's Redfoo both departed the Australian version of the show last year, so music mogul Simon Cowell has been speaking to them both about the possibility of joining him on the UK panel.

A source said: "Simon contacted a few judges from other versions of 'The X Factor' to gauge interest.

"He spoke to LMFAO's Redfoo and Ronan Keating.

"But ideally, Simon wants judges that he's already personally worked with and seen in action."

Louis Walsh - who left the show last year after being on the panel every year since the show launched in 2004 - is seen as a "dead cert" to return, while Simon is also in negotiations with a host of other former judges.

The source told heat magazine: "Louis is a dead cert to come back.

"But Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Mel B are still in negotiations.

"After Simon persuaded Dermot O'Leary to come back as presenter, he realised he wanted to have the rest of the panel to have some other familiar faces from the past...

"Simon is excited about working with old friends again."

It was recently claimed former Westlife singer Nicky Byrne is being lined up to front spin-off show 'The Xtra Factor', which last year was hosted by Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom.

A source said: "A number of people are being considered for the position and Nicky is on that list. He has plenty of experience on camera and has a great profile in England which is a real plus ...

"It is all about the chemistry. If they find someone who works with him he has a real chance at landing the gig."